Northern Spain: La Rioja and Basque Country

Leave the US no later than October 8 for arrival in Bilbao on October 9. Most major European hubs have daily connecting flights to Bilbao.

Upon arrival, just outside of baggage claim, taxis are plentiful. It will cost around €30 for a 25 minute ride to the hotel.

18:00: This evening, join your host and fellow travelers for a welcome reception.

After breakfast, meet your tour director and spend the day getting to know Bilbao. Bilbao, a port city, is surrounded by hills and located in the autonomous community of the Basque Country is also know as the “city of Guggenheim”, after the museum was built in 1997. Today, Bilbao serves as an international reference point for modernity combining avant-garde with its traditional old town, charming streets and bars, and passionate gastronomy scene.

Breakfast at the hotel.

9:30 Locals tour of Bilbao and walk to Museum Guggenheim

Private tour of the Guggenheim museum

13:30 Lunch at the Guggenheim cafe

15:30 Walk back to the hotel on your own or with guides

(Times are estimated and subject to change)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Lunch the Guggenheim cafe: 1 bottle of wine is not included

Join us as we embark on a journey through La Rioja – the region known for producing some of the world’s finest wines! Our first stop is at the prestigious Bodegas Muga, where we’ll have the opportunity to indulge in a private wine tasting experience. As we move on to explore the charming Haro, you’ll have some time to wander the town on your own.

We’ll then venture to Casalarreina, a town that’s home to La Vieja Bodega – a Michelin recommended restaurant that was once a 17th-century winery of the Marqués de Vargas. Here, we’ll enjoy a delicious tasting menu paired with some of the region’s finest wines.

Afterward, we’ll take an exclusive visit to their private wine cellar before transferring back to our hotel for a night on your own.

This evening you can explore the vibrant city of Logroño on our own, with our knowledgeable guide offering insider tips and recommendations for the best pintxos and wine at the famous Calle Laurel.

Join us for a day full of unforgettable experiences and culinary delights in La Rioja!

General schedule (subject to change)

08:45 Pick up at the hotel in Bilbao and transfer to La Rioja

10:00 Visit and wine tasting at Bodegas Muga. (small group – may not be private).

12:00 Visit Haro, capital of the wine region. Enjoy walking this town on your own.

14:00 Lunch in La Vieja Bodega restaurant

16:30 Transfer to the hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

The Valdemar family has been making wine in La Rioja, Spain for over 130 years. What started as an underground stone cellar in the small town of Oyón has grown into one of the most prestigious international brands in Rioja. The flagship location, Bodegas Valdemar, has more than 300 hectares of stunning vineyards on the property, making it a truly unforgettable destination.

· Channel your inner winegrower and learn how to harvest, shell, and press grapes!

· Enjoy a picnic with a view at a selected spot, with exclusive wines hand-picked for your very own educational and sensory journey.

· Feast your taste buds with a traditional Rioja lunch paired with unique family wines.

OPTIONAL ADD-ON: 06:00 / 06:30 Hot air balloon and ride over la Rioja Alta vineyards

8:30 (Optional inclusion) Walk the Camino de Santiago from Najera to Azofra (5 miles)

10:30 Valdemar Winery private experience becoming a wine grower.

11:30 Picnic in the vineyard with 2 wines and tapas.

12:30 Winery tour with paired tasting: 2 wines and 2 Spanish tapas.

13:30 Traditional lunch with lamb chops paired with Valdemar Family Wines.

16:00 Transfer to the hotel

Enjoy the rest of the day on your own

(Schedule subject to change)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! We’ll hop on our ebikes and embark on an exciting journey along a 15 mile portion of the Camino de Santiago Frances. But the adventure doesn’t stop there! We will convene at the enchanting Arinzano Winery for a captivating 4×4 tour of the lush vineyards, a guided exploration of the winery, and a delightful wine tasting experience featuring three exquisite Pago de Arinzano wines thoughtfully paired with the finest Iberian hams.

Are you not up for a bike ride today? Instead, why not accompany us on a delightful excursion to an Olive Oil Elaboration museum and the serene Irache Monastery, where we’ll rendezvous with the rest of the group at Arinzano.

This evening, we’ll gather for a leisurely stroll through Pamplona’s historic quarter and uncover fascinating facts about the running of the bulls and Hemingway’s connection to this town. We’ll also visit other iconic landmarks that have played a crucial role in Pamplona’s history.

08:30 Transfer to Navarra

10:00 eBike along the Camino de Santiago – Approximately 15 miles elevation gain: 1650 feet

10:00 Touring day for non-cyclists

13:30 Visit by 4×4 the vineyards + wine tasting + Iberian hams

18:00 Transfer to the hotel in Pamplona

19:00 Walking tour of Pamplona

(Subject to change)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

You have the option to enjoy a day of leisure in Pamplona to do what you wish! But you will want to be back in time to join us at a txoco, a private gastronomy club, as we learn to make paella!

OPTIONAL ADD-ON:

Alternatively, if you prefer to travel travel back in time and witness some of the most magnificent examples of Roman, Romanesque and Medieval architecture in Spain then read on…

We’ll explore the charming medieval village of Ujue, considered to be one of the most picturesque hilltop villages in all of Spain. As we wander through its cobblestone streets, we’ll treat our taste buds to the famous regional migas de pastor (Shepherd’s crumbs), succulent lamb chops, and other mouthwatering specialties, all accompanied by high-quality regional wines. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you!

But it doesn’t end there! We’ll take a stroll to the historic Ujué Fortress Church, where you’ll be left in awe by its impressive architecture and fascinating history.

Our next stop is Olite, where we’ll visit the Olite Castle, the very same castle that inspired the iconic Disneyland logo. This stunning fortress boasts a rich history, and you’ll be transported back in time as you wander through its corridors.

Cost for this activity is $650.00 (minimum of 6 people needed for this activity)

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY – Roman, Romanesque and Medieval

08:30 Transfer to Gregorian Chants Monestary de Leyre

10:30 Visit Castillo Javier + mid morning bite to eat (local dishes) Traditional Navarre specialities in Javier village for wine tasting and aperitifs + Roman ruins + winery visit in Navarra Bodegas Caudalia.

14:00 Transfer to Olite

15:00 Visit the Olite castle

16:30 Transfer to Pamplona.

(Schedule subject to change)

Everyone:

19:00 Paella workshop in a private social club

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner (paella)

Today we’ll discover the beauty and charm in the province of 5 Villas, also know as the Tuscany of Spain where we indulge in a day of movement, relaxation, delicious cuisine, and unforgettable experiences.

We’ll kick off our journey by taking a stroll through some of the most charming villages in the 5 Villas Province, where we’ll stop for a bite to eat and indulge in the local cuisine. Along the way, we’ll also encounter the Navarra breed of ponies, known as potokas, and the adorable woolly sheep called Latxas.

If you prefer a chaufered road trip, join us as we make our way to meet the walkers through a series of Navarre villages: Zubieta, Ituren, and Santestebacn.

We all arrive at a family-friendly salt spring mountain spa, where we’ll take a dip in the warm, rejuvenating waters for an unforgettable salt-bath experience. Trust us, you’ll feel like you’re floating on a cloud!

After our rejuvenating dip, we’ll gather at an outstanding cozy local restaurant for a scrumptious lunch. You won’t want to miss out on the delectable regional dishes that this restaurant has to offer.

General schedule (subject to change):

08:30 Morning pick up at the hotel

09:30 Gorgeous hike in the 5 Villas region (5 miles, 700 feet altitude)

12:00 Salt Spring Mountain Spa Session + Spa bathrobe + thongs + swimming cap

14:30 Lunch at Santa Maria

16:00 Transfer to San Sebastian

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Start the morning with a delicious breakfast before we travel to our next destination, one of Spain’s most charming villages – the medieval fishing settlement of Getaria.

Wedged between two beautiful beaches, the village is surrounded by the rolling green hills of the Txakoli vineyards, where we will pay a visit to a local winery so that you can experience a tasting of txakoli wines.

Back in picturesque Getaria port, we’ll visit with a fisherman after a morning full of fresh catch ready to grill up and share with us! Afterward, we will have an unforgettable visit to Monte Igueldo, a vintage amusement park perched atop one of San Sebastián’s three hills for a glass of cava on the terrace.

This evening we continue the culinary focus as we walk around the old town’s seemingly endless narrow streets. The slow food culture makes the local dishes so tasty, which you will experience during dinnertime during a pintxos bar crawl.

9:00 Transfer to Getaria / winery / fisherman’s catch

14:45 Transfer to San Sebasrian

15:15 Cava at the El Torreon in Monte Igueldo at and enjoy the magnificent views of San Sebastian

16:00 Transfer to the hotel

20:00 Regroup for dinner: pintxos and wines in the historic quarter of San Sebastian

(Schedule subject to change)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (pintxos)

Today the day is all yours! You have the day on your own to appreciate San Sebastian. You may decide to walk around, indulge on a shopping excursion, or take your time strolling Concha Bay. Or you may have other things in mind. No mater what you want to do, or not do, we have recommendations for you!

OPTIONAL DAY TRIP: Explore a Basque Port

Basque ports have a rich maritime history. Learning more about the culture and traditions of these fishing communities can be an enriching experience, and Pasajes and Hondarribia are no exception. Get up close and personal with the history while taking in the breathtaking views of the rugged landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and pristine beaches.

10:00 Pick up to visit Pasajes

11:00 Albaola Museum private visit
13:00 Mid-morning informal snack in an authentic fisherman’s tavern called Muguruza Ardoak to try their local specialties with Basque cider or txakoli wine.
15:30 Historic visit to Hondarribia, followed by a few pintxos and wines in Hondarribia’s gorgeous boulevard.
16:30 Transfer to San Sebastian.

Cost for this activity is $650.00 (minimum of 6 people needed for this activity)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we explore some of the most iconic locations in the Basque Country!

We’ll start off by transferring to the 10th century hermitage Gaztelugutxe, which you may recognize as the backdrop to some epic Game of Thrones scenes. It’s a fun walk to the islet, where we’ll get to ring the famous bell and feel the power of the crashing Atlantic waves all around us. Trust us, it’s a thrill you won’t forget!

If you prefer not to hike to the islet, we will visit two villages on the coast: Bermeo and Mundaka, then return to Gaztelugatxe to retrieve the walkers.

Afterward, we’ll head to Eneperi for our bittersweet farewell lunch, located in an 1816 country house.

As our day draws to a close, we’ll gather for a farewell happy hour. You’ll get a chance to share your favorite moments from the trip with your fellow travelers, and maybe even start planning your next adventure together!

09:00 Pick up at the hotel

11:30 Arrival to the Islet Gaztelugatxe + hike the Islet Gaztelugatxe *

11:30 Roadtrip to Bermeo and Mundaka for non-hikers

13:30 /14:00 Lunch at Restaurant Almiketxu or Restaurant Kofradía San Pedro Erretegia, Bermeo

16:00 Transfer to Bilbao

(Schedule subject to change)

* The hike is only possible with good weather. Alternatives are a cultural visit to Gernika to the Casa de Juntas and in walking distance, through the nearby “Parque de los Pueblos de Europa” which contains huge sculptures of two well-known artists: Eduardo Chillida and Henry Moore.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Although our Spain adventure must come to a close, the unforgettable experiences and moments we shared will forever be ingrained in our hearts and minds. Cherish the memories, until we meet again!

The hotel can help arrange taxi’s to the airport. It will cost around €30 for a 25 minute ride to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast (depending on the time of your flight breakfast may not be available)